Frequently Asked Questions

An 8" Dia. L-Series™Round Target will take over 1,000 random hits with .45 caliber roundnose (FMJ) bullets or several thousand hits with .22s.

"What are Newbold targets made of?"

It’s a tough, flexible, hi-tech polymer material. Newbold Targets are non-metal, reactive and a safer alternative to steel targets. In 1995 we were the first to introduce this type of shoot-through polymer material to the shooting industry. Many magazines and shooters started to call them plastic targets or polymer targets or self-sealing targets. Actually, it’s a high-performance elastomer, so right from the start, we named our target material ElastiMAX™. Our targets, Pivot Bases, Nuts and Bolts and every elastomer product we offer to shooters is made of this ElastiMAX material , so your bullets pass through without splatter or ricochet.

"What is the best ammo to use with Newbold Targets?"

For maximum target life, use lead roundnose or FMJ (Ball) ammo. Use any caliber from .22s thru .45s - but you will get better reaction (more target movement) with larger calibers and lighter loads. Optimum bullet velocity typically ranges from 750 fps (feet per second) to 1,250 fps. For our 42" Pepper-Poppers use larger caliber 10mm, 40s and 45s. Smaller 9mm and .38 Cal should run at near 1,000 fps for best results with our 42" Poppers. Bullets slower than 750 fps should never be used because they will bounce back to the shooter and bystanders. With rifle ammo (e.g., .223 and .308 Cal.) there is little or no target movement on our larger targets and little or no damage to the target. .223s for example leave a hole so small it is sometimes hard to see at all. (See "Can I shoot these targets with rifle ammo?", below.) With high velocity rifle ammo (1,250 fps and faster) use our smallest 2", 3" and 4" Dia. round HangTuff targets and our 4" Dia. L-Series target for maximum target movement.

"What happens when I shoot these self-sealing targets with hollow-points?"

It is safe to use hollow-points, but they "cookie-cut" the target material. The holes hollow-points make are typically 1/8" Dia. (about the same diameter as the "hollow") straight through the target. They are not recommended for use because they reduce target life. The same is true with the use of wadcutters, semi-wadcutters and some flat-point rounds; e.g., .357 magnum flat-points at high-velocity - all of the bullet types mentioned above (and shown in the photo below) tend to reduce target life. In law enforcement training, where hollow-points are often the norm, you’ll get some reduced target life - but you’ll also get safer shooting without ricochet and splatter.

"Why are KD-Bases and KD-Pivot Targets sold separately?

These items are sold separately for your convenience - so that you can customize your target stands and plate racks without paying for additional bases you don't need. The Bases for both the L-Series and the KD-Series targets are not included in the sale of the targets. They are sold separately because most of our customers buy more targets than bases so that they have replacement targets for the bases which they have mounted on their stand permanently.

"Which targets should I use for military and law enforcement training?"

Our most popular targets for military and law enforcement are Pepper-Poppers, also, L-Series™ and K-D Pivot™ Rounds and Squares in different sizes and colors. To improve reaction time, trainers direct the shooter’s eye by calling-out the next target to shoot with its size, shape and color (for example, Small!.., Round!.., Red!..) Trainers hang our K-D Pivot targets upside-down (without the base). They run a cable or a wooden dowel through the "tube" at the bottom of the K-D target - so the target hangs down and flips up when hit. Walk-throughs or run-throughs can be set up with L-Series targets that trainees can shoot off of wooden posts or small stands. These targets add action and help to hold shooters’ interest.

"Can I shoot Newbold targets with rifle ammo?"

Some rifle ammo, yes - .22 long-rifles and .38 Cal. rifle ammo can be used with all Newbold targets except the 42" Popper. Varmint-type and similar fast rifle rounds (like .223s, .22-250s and .308s with Spire-Points) should only be used with our smaller 2" and 3" HangTuff™ targets and with our 4" Dia. L-Series target, because you can see these smaller targets move with each rifle hit. Newbold targets are designed primarily for pistol shooting. High-velocity rifle bullets, (.308, .30-06 and the .223s/.22-250s mentioned above) should not be used with our larger diameter 6", 8", 10" and Popper targets because when they are hit with these high-velocity rifle bullets, these larger targets do not move enough for you to see any target movement. Additionally, softnose hunting rounds will often damage the target, making a small entrance hole in the front and a slightly larger exit hole out the back.

"Can I shoot these targets with black powder rifles and ammo?"

Yes - use up to .50 and .58 caliber roundnose and ball ammo. However, the use of Minie-balls with concave entry points and certain Sabot slugs tend to "cookie-cut" the material, much like hollow-points.

"Can I shoot these targets with a shotgun?"

Yes. Double "00" and Triple "000" buckshot can be used on our Pepper-Poppers, the larger L-Series™ and K-D Pivot™ targets at suggested distances of 20-25 yards and more with good results and reasonably long life. Do not use bird-shot because it will pack-up inside the target. And we do not recommend that you shoot them up close with shotgun "blasts".

"Can I shoot Newbold Targets with B-Bs and Pellets?"

NO! B-Bs and pellets will bounce back at the shooter and bystanders. They do not have enough velocity to penetrate the target. Even the use of higher-end, high-velocity pellet guns - with projectiles running in excess of 700 feet per second (on up to 1,100 FPS) is never recommended with our standard line of targets. Please, don’t even try it.

"What about Cowboy Shoots - what targets do you recommend?"

Cowboy shooters use a lot of .45 caliber roundnose (Ball) ammo for pistol shooting and .45 caliber flatnose ammo for rifle shooting. The roundnose ammo is fine for any of our targets but the flatnose ammo cookie-cuts the ElastiMAX™ material. This shortens the life of the target, but if you need a target that doesn’t ricochet or send splatter back at you, shorter target life might be a good trade-off. Try our Varmints, the Tombstone and the Whiskey Bottle!

"Can I use them in my Paintball Shoot?"

Yes! Use HangTuffs and K-D Pivots. Our L-Series can be shot with paintballs, but you’ll see more action with the HangTuffs and K-D Pivots.

"What type of targets would you suggest for beginning shooters?"

In several high-use shooting ranges, the 6" HangTuff™ targets have been used very successfully to replace messy clay pigeons and time-consuming air-filled balloons (for .22 and .38 shoots). If you operate a range for kid shoots, you know how difficult it can be to keep a steady supply of clay pigeons, balloons and even paper targets set up on your range. With these Newbold targets, you set them up once in the morning and they take the hits all day long. It gives beginners lots of action, with immediate results and easily holds and keeps their interest. 8" HangTuffs™ are larger and easier-to-hit, but beginning shooters will see more action with the 6" Dia. HangTuffs. Orange and yellow are the most popular colors.

"When shooting the K-D Pivot targets, can I interchange any K-D Pivot™ target (regardless of size or type) on a K-D Pivot Base?"

Yes. You can switch a 4" Round Pivot™ target with a Bowling Pin Pivot target and then switch that with a Prairie Dog Pivot - no problem. All K-D Pivot™ targets simply snap into the K-D Pivot™ Base. It takes just a few seconds.

"How do I get the reset string through those little holes on the K-D Pivot Base and the K-D Pivot Target?"

Lay a portion of the string directly across the hole, push the string completely through the hole –with a twig, a paper clip or a toothpick - and grab it on the other side.

"Is there an easy way to get the ElastiMAX™ nuts onto the ElastiMAX™ bolts?"

Sometimes it’s tough getting the nut started on the bolt; you turn the nut, but the threads don’t grab. The answer is push or "mash" the nut up against the bolt before you start turning it. This way, the first couple of threads snap onto the bolt, which makes turning the nut up on the bolt a lot easier.

"Can I melt these targets in an oven to close up the holes?"

No. The material will not melt.

"Do the straps break easily on the HangTuff™ Targets?"

No. The strap is made of the same material as the target and holds up about as well as the target itself. If deliberate attempts are made to "knock" the straps off, of course it can be done - however, most shooters will concentrate on the "round", or "Bullseye" part of the target.

"Why do K-D Pivot targets cost less than L-Series targets?"

All K-D Pivot targets are almost half as thick as L-Series targets because all the bullet needs to do is knock the K-D Pivot target over-center to knock it down. L-Series targets are made thicker because the bullet has to "hang-on" to the thickness of the target a little longer. Increasing the thickness gives the L-Series target more snap-back action.

"What is a Balance Bolt?"

The Newbold ElastiMAX™ Balance Bolt is an adjustment bolt that is made of our tough, self-sealing material. This adjustment bolt is used to adjust the angle of your Newbold KD-Pivot Series Targets, 22" Pepper Poppers and 42" Pepper Poppers. The Balance Bolt may need to be adjusted to account for target stand angle, unleveled mounting surfaces and sometimes weather conditions. Just give the bolt a turn or two to change the angle of the target. The target should be adjusted so that it is standing as straight as possible.

"Why should I use Newbold Self-Sealing Targets?"

Because They Are: - Safer-than-steel - No Lead Splatter! Especially for indoor ranges. - Fun-to-shoot! A great alternative to paper targets! - Easy-to-carry - Seven Times Lighter than steel. - Available in four colors. - Can be shot at -40F to +120F - they are all-weather targets and may be left outdoors.